Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted Christopher Nkunku can force his way into the club’s Premier League side.
The forward is the club’s top scorer this season with 10 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions but has started just one League game all season.
Blues boss Maresca has tended to name almost entirely different sides for cup competitions compared to the League, in which Nicolas Jackson is currently the starting option.
As such, Nkunku has been linked with a move away, with Manchester United reportedly expressing an interest in the former RB Leipzig forward last summer.
Nkunku joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 but endured an injury-hit first season at the club, making only 14 appearances after suffering a knee injury during pre-season.
Maresca has a wealth of options in attacking areas but speaking after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, he denied the likes of Nkunku and Joao Felix were set for use in only the cup competitions.
“Even if from outside you struggle to believe me, there is not two teams,” he told Stadium Astro.
“The ones that played tonight [Sunday], probably in three weeks, they are playing Conference [League] and the ones that are playing Conference, they can play in the Premier League.
“Joao Felix can play in the Premier League. Nkunku can play Premier League. All of them can play Premier League.
“I always repeat the same thing. Just because they played today doesn't mean they’re going to play the next one. You have to compete, you have to perform in the right away.”
